Best Burgers in Hamilton, Ontario: Area Guide

The best burgers in Hamilton, Ontario, are found on James Street North, on Locke Street, in Westdale Village next to McMaster University, around the bars of Hess Village and along Ottawa Street. Expect pub burgers, smash burgers and diner plates in the city long nicknamed Steel City.

Hamilton’s food scene grew in its old commercial streets rather than in tourist districts. James Street North turned into a strip of galleries, cafés and restaurants, and its monthly Art Crawl, on the second Friday, brings evening crowds to the counters there. Westdale feeds McMaster students, and Hess Village is the late-night bar area. Hamilton also holds a footnote in Canadian food history: the first Tim Hortons opened on Ottawa Street North in 1964. This page covers Hamilton in Ontario, not Hamilton in New Zealand or Bermuda.

Burgers in Hamilton: key facts

• Neighbourhoods to explore: James Street North, Locke Street, Westdale Village, Hess Village, Ottawa Street and downtown around Gore Park.
• Local rhythm: the James Street North Art Crawl, on the second Friday of each month.
• Student area: Westdale, beside the McMaster University campus.
• Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD). Expect 13% HST and a tip on top of the listed price.
• Getting there: GO Transit trains and buses link Hamilton with Toronto.

Every guide we publish on Hamilton is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. For Toronto and other cities, browse our burger restaurant guides by city.